Geumgangam (Busan)

Geumgangam (金剛庵) is a hermitage within Beomeosa Temple (梵魚寺). The exact founding date is unknown, but records indicate that it was rebuilt in 1803 (the 3rd year of King Sunjo's reign) by Master Chwigyu, along with Daeseongam Hermitage of Beomeosa. A record from 1899 states that the monk Oseongwol first established a Seon (Zen) meditation center at Geumgangam of Beomeosa, making it significant as the starting point that sparked the Seon tradition at that time. Among the remaining reconstruction records from the 1800s, the name of Geumgangam is found, allowing us to estimate the period of its reconstruction.

In the 1980s, when Monk Byeokpa served as the head monk of Geumgangam at Beomeosa, this hermitage, which had been merely a small hermitage within the temple, gradually gained fame and began to expand its influence. From 1984 to 1991, over about seven years, Byeokpa's disciple Jeongyeo led the reconstruction project, giving Geumgangam at Beomeosa its current temple layout. The characteristic Korean-language plaques and hanging boards of Geumgangam were also installed during this time. To reach Geumgangam, head toward the north gate of Geumjeongsan Mountain on the left side of Beomeosa; after passing Daeseongam Hermitage and climbing up a rocky valley, you will find Geumgangam, known as one of the Eight Scenic Views of Beomeosa, [Geumgangmanpung].